Ann Wanyoike: Retired Pilot Finds Success In Catering Business

Ann Wanyoike is a former pilot and the proprietor of Amazing Graze Kenya.

They create charcuterie tables for all occasions including corporate dinners, private functions, weddings and birthdays.

Wanyoike ventured into the business thanks for her love for wine and cheese pairing dating back to 2003.

Here is her story as told by WoK.

Background

For starters, grazing is a pattern of eating that involves consuming multiple meals throughout the day.

For instance, instead of having the traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner, people snack throughout the day on an assortment of healthy and nutrient-rich foods.

In an interview with Business Daily, Wanyoike explained that her business is as a result of her love for wine, cured meat and cheese.

Her interest in these foods, she explains, dates back to 2003 when she had just completed her university studies.

At the time, she worked for a wine company where she got a chance to learn about wine and cheese pairing.

She would make presentations of different types of cured speciality meats and gourmet cheeses which were then accompanied by a variety of other snacks.

In 2019, Wanyoike retired from her career.

A year later, her brother launched a new business where he was introducing wines from Australia, and she came onboard as a marketer for the new drinks.

“This meant being creative. I drew from my previous experience. Creativity on my end came in the form of cheese and meat pairings for the wine-tasting events which were happening around Nairobi,” Wanyoike said.

Having retired from her aviation career, Wanyoike was willing to venture into something new and pursue her passion.

It is then when the idea of Amazing Graze Kenya came along.

Her breakthrough came when she suggested a grazing table for a client who had asked her brother to organise a wine tasting for his family.

Wanyoike jokingly disclosed that she relied on Pinterest, at that particular time, to come up with a perfect grazing table.

“I was so excited and terrified at the same time. But when it all came together I was blown away by my own creativity. Most people ask me where I learned to do this and I tell them from the ‘University of Pinterest,” she stated.

Following that first order, she decided to fully concentrate on charcuterie and grazing.

“From that first order, I have immersed myself in the charcuterie and the grazing world, a trend that is also a new and growing business in the Western world

“Grazing tables, grazing boards, charcuterie boards, among others are some of the names you will hear from us,” she stated.

While the grazing table has options like cheeses, small salads, fruit, lean meats and nuts, a charcuterie board mainly consists of meats and cheeses.

“…a traditional charcuterie board is just a meat platter. The word ‘charcuterie’ was used to describe shops in 15th-century France that sold products made from pork,” Wanyoike said.

While admitting that her business is steadily growing, she notes that they are experiencing a challenge in educating people about the products.

“Most of our efforts have gone into marketing campaigns and promotions. We are an online business and social media has been our biggest driver, as well as marketing through social media influencers,” Wanyoike stated.